Mine Tours in and near Pretoria

Refentse Mining Tours

Underground tours to operational mines are conducted on a weekly basis. The company offers visitors an experience of the workings underground a gold mine and see miners in action. ... more

The path to modern South Africa was lined with diamonds and gold. The quest for these two most precious resources from the earth created great fortunes, fueled conflict and created the multi-cultural landscape that is the country today. Mine Tours in South Africa are essential to any visitor interested in the history of this country.

When gold was discovered under what is now Johannesburg in the late 1800s, it created a frenzied gold rush. The city appeared virtually overnight, and while many fortunes were made, many more were lost. Abandoned mines now dot the landscape surrounding Johannesburg and Pretoria, and several tour operators will take you on fascinating trips back in time to the discovery that changed the face of South Africa. Gold and platinum are still mined in the area and they provide a major part of South Africa's economy.

All that glitters may not be gold, but nothing sparkles like a diamond. A trip to Kimberley in the Northwest Province is not complete without a visit to the Mine Museum and a gape into The Big Hole. The site of the largest hand dug excavation in the world, it is testament to the lengths that people will go to find this precious stone. Once the richest city in South Africa, the home of the country's first stock exchange and the former head office of De Beers, the largest diamond company in the world, Kimberley is a living museum to glory days gone by.

With the entire town declared a national monument, Pilgrim's Rest is a living museum to the days of the gold rush. It is still an active area for mining and the town's refurbished houses give a fascinating look into the history of the area.